Elvira of Castile, Queen of Sicily

For other people of the same name, see Elvira of Castile.
Elvira of Castile
Queen consort of Sicily
Tenure 1130 – 8 February 1135
Predecessor New title
Successor Sibylla of Burgundy
Born c.1100
Died 8 February 1135 (aged 3435)
Spouse Roger II of Sicily
Issue
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Roger III, Duke of Apulia
Tancred, Prince of Bari
Alfonso of Hauteville
William I of Sicily
House Jiménez
Father Alfonso VI of León and Castile
Mother Isabella (possibly identical to Zaida of Seville)

Elvira of Castile (c.1100 8 February 1135) was the first Queen of Sicily.

Background and upbringing

She was a daughter of Alfonso VI of Castile by his fourth queen, Isabella (perhaps identical to the Moslem convert Zaida of Seville, baptized as Isabel, who had been Alfonso's mistress). Elvira was raised in Toledo, so she must have been accustomed to a significant level of convivencia, which was present in Sicily as well.[1]

Marriage

Elvira married Roger II of Sicily in 1117.[1] In 1130, she became queen of Sicily when her husband had himself crowned king. She bore Roger five sons and one daughter by 1135.[1]

In 1135, both Roger and Elvira fell ill. The illness was grave and infectious. Roger survived, but Elvira did not.[2] Roger remained a widower for fifteen years and remarried only when four out of five of his sons with Elvira died.[2]

Issue

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Hubert Houben, 35-36.
  2. 1 2 Hubert Houben, 95-96.

References


Royal titles
New title Queen consort of Sicily
1130 – 8 February 1135
Succeeded by
Sibylla of Burgundy
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